Pierre Police Department, South Dakota
End of Watch: Sunday, June 11, 1944
Age: 54
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 11, 1944
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 410 gauge
Suspect Info: Deceased
Patrolman Alva Burnett was shot and killed around 6 p.m. after responding to a domestic disturbance for the second time in one day at a home on West Sioux Avenue near Charles Street.
Prior to the second call, the suspect had doused his wife with gasoline and lit her on fire. Patrolman Burnett was attempting to talk to the suspect, who was standing in the doorway of the couple's home, when the man suddenly raised his 410-gauge shotgun and shot Patrolman Burnett.
The suspect was killed at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Patrolman Burnett had served with the department for two years.